Coin-freed mechanism



QL- .A'

LW' f SRM Y G. MICHAELSONy G01N-FREE!) AMEcHANIsM Fild April 1, '1940*lill SSL.

Th- -Mc Mmh 3, 1942.

Patented Mar. 3, 1942 COIN-FREED MECHANISM George Michaelson, London,England Application April 1, 1940, Serial No. 327,287 In Great BritainApril 1, 1939 10 Claims.

This invention relates to coin-freed mechanisms and has for its `chiefobject the provision of a simple and economical apparatus that can servea variety of purposes and that can be adapted for use with articles orvarious forms Whether for domestic or public utility services or forsale, hire, purchase or servicing purposes.

According to one feature of the invention the coin-freed mechanism isprovided with a chute, pocket or slot for the reception of coins ortokens of various denominations and with a plurality of selectivelyengageable electric contact members, the arrangement being such that theposition which a coin or token assumes or is permitted to assume and theContact engaged are dependent upon the value or dimensions of the coinor token received.

According to another feature of the invention the coin freed mechanismis provided with a chute for the reception of coins or tokens of variousdenominations and with a .plurality of selectively engageable electriccontact members disposed beneath said chute and along a tapering orconvergent coin-receiving Zone, the arrangement being such that theposition which a coin or token assumes or is permitted to assume in thecoin-receiving zone and the particular contact engaged are dependentupon the value or dimensions of the coin or .token received.

According to another feature of the invention the coin-freed mechanismis provided with a chute for the reception of coins or tokens of variousdenominations and means for displacing the coin or token relatively tothe chute or a part thereof so that the amount of, or the time occupiedby, the displacement is dependent upon the characteristics or value ofthe coin or token and is predetermined by means associated With -ordisposed beneath the said chute.

According to another feature of the invention the coin-freed mechanismis provided with a chute for the reception of coins or tokens of variousdenominations and with a plurality of selectively engageable electriccontact members disposed beneath said chute so that they form oneboundary of a tapering or convergent coin-receiving zone the otherboundary of Which is formed by a helical member between the convolutionsof which the coins or tokens are received.

According to another feature of the invention, the coin-freed mechanismis provided with a chute for the reception of coins or tokens of variousdenominations and with a plurality of selectively engageable electriccontact members, means for displacing a coin laterally while engaging acontact member and means brought into operation by the insertion of acoin for actuating the displacing means.

Further features of the invention are concerned with the manner in whicha coin or token received by the chute is utilised to control theactuation of the mechanism brought into operation by the insertion ofthe coin or token.

In its preferred form, the invention comprises a helical memberrotatable in relation to the coin -or token, a part of the helixfunctioning as a holder for the coin or token. Associated with the helixis a support or supports forming another part of the coin-holder.

The support or supports and the helix or parts thereof, may togetherform parts of an electric circuit and may be insulated from one anotherso that a coin resting partly in the helix and partly in or on thesupport forms a connector and so long as the coin engages itsappropriate contact the circuit is closed but when the coin leaves thecontact even though it may still be in' the holder, the circuit isbroken. After a coin has been deposited in the holder, the helix may berotated so that the coin becomes displaced, e. g. laterally, the circuitbeing vmaintained closed for a predetermined period of time or for thewhole or a part Vof such displacement. In this connection, it may bementioned that a plurality of contact members of different lengths maybe used and the holder may be formed and the contact members positionedso that coins of different denominations or sizes occupy differentpositions and engage diiferent contacts and thereby serve to control theoperation of mechanism to be leased for different periods predeterminedaccording to the lengths of the contacts.

The invention may be applied to a variety of purposes as for instance,the control of Wireless sets, television sets, radiograms, telephones;refrigerators, teleprinters, telegraphic equipment, motor vehicles,vacuum cleaners, vending machines, sport and game machines, ticketvending and printing and/ or change giving and coin sorting machines. Itcan also be applied to mechanically operating machines and devices suchas, for instance, to the control and/or actuation of taps, valves, todisplay or advertising devices.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood Iand readilycarried into effect the same Will now be more fully described withreference to the accompanying drawing in Which:

Fig. 1 is a View showing diagrammatically a part of a coin-freedmechanism incorporating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View showing diagrammatically the arrangement ofthe contact members in the tapering or convergent coin-receiving zone;and

Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views showing diagrammatically modified modesv'of carrying the invention into effect.

As may be seen from Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing the improved formof coinfreed mechanism comprises a helical member formedfby a series ofmetal rings placed side by f side in an inclined or oblique position onthe core and cut radially and interconnected so that the end of one isconnected with. the end of the next to form a continuous helix, thepitch of the helix being such that a coin or any one of a number ofcoins can be placed edgewise in position between two convolutions of thescrew with a part of its edge bearing against the core S or bottom ofthe thread and with another part of its edge extending beyond theperipheral or outer edge of the helix.

Beneath or to one side of the said helical memthe number of thedenomination of coins for g which the apparatus is to be used, saidcontact members being disposed at varying distances from the axis of thehelical member. For examplaif the apparatus is required to be used withcoins of the following denominations; onefarthing, lone three-pennypiece, one six-penny piece, one Shilling, one half-penny piece, oneiiorin, one penny and one half-crown piece, at least eight Contactmembers are provided and arranged so that they are spaced from oneanother around a part of the periph-eral or outer edge of the helicalmember and so that they are disposed at distances from the axis of thehelical member which progressively increase in magnitude, thearrangement being such that the contact member c' for the coin of thesmallest diameter, say the six-penny piece, is disposed only a shortdistance from the peripheral or outer edge of the helical member whilethe contact member c2 for the coin which is next to the smallest indiameter, say the farthing, is disposed at a slightly greater distancefrom the axis or peripheral or outer edge of the helical member, thecontact member c3 for the next size coin, say the three-penny piece, isdisposed at a still greater distance from the axis or peripheral orouter edge of the helical member and so on with the contact members c4,c5, c6, cFI and o8 provided respectively for the other coins ofprogressively increasing diameters, viz. the shilling, the half-penny,`the florin, the penny and the half-crown. Thus as may be seen from Fig.2, there is formed between the helical member and the set of contactmembers what may be termed an arcuate or curved tapering or convergentcoin receiving zone and, when a coin of any of the denominations'provided for is, while lying in a plane substantially atlright anglesto the axis of they helical member, introduced into` that sone, it canadvance along the Zone by an amount which is dependent upon vil) itscharacteristics, e. g. its diameter, and when it comes to rest, it willbear against one only of the contact members, namely that contact memberwhich has been allocated for that denomination of coin.

The aforesaid contact members are preferably parallel with one anotherand extend in directions parallel with the axis of the helical member.Also,y for certain purposes, e. g. in apparatus required for use withappliances which are to be released or leased for varying periods oftime, the said contact members may ,be formed so that they are ofvarying lengths or so that the electrically conducting portions of thesame are of varying lengths, the arrangement being such that, when acoin in position in the said tapering or convergent coin-receiving Zoneis displaced laterally by a rotary movement of the spiral or helicalmember, it will move along the contact member and be effective formaintaining an electrical circuit or circuits closed or open or for theselective operation of one or more relays or other apparatus for aperiod dependent upon the length or effective length of the contactmember. That is to say, upon a rotary movement of the helical member,the coin-freed mechanism or the apparatus adapted to be brought intooperation by the actuation of the coin-freed mechanism, may be actuatedfor a period dependent upon the duration of the contact establishedbetween the coin and its associated contact member which will, in turn,depend upon the length or effective length of the contact memberand/orthe speed of rotation of the helical member. l

The means for rotating the helical member may take various forms. Forexample, a pawl and ratchet device may be provided and controlled by anelectro-magnetic device which may be coupled with the pawl to operatethe helical member in a step-by-step manner, the electromagnetic devicebeing adapted to be brought into operatic-n when a ycoin closes thecircuit. For example, as is shown in Fig. 1, the helical member S mayhave connected or secured thereto a gear wheel y forming part of a setof reduction gearing consisting, for instance, of a pinion y engagingwith g, a larger pinion g2 secured to g meshing with a smaller pinion g3which is, in turn, secured to a relatively large pinion g4, and a onewayflexible pawl PLI may be provided for engagement with the last mentionedpinion, the arrangement being such that the pawl is coupled with adisplaceable armature P associated with an .electro-magnetic device MMone end of which is slow-to-release and forms with P a make-andbreakarrangement. The other end of the electro-magnetic device may bearranged so that it is adapted, when actuated, to open a normally closedswitch SW2 arranged in an auxiliary circuit which includes an auxiliaryelectric battery AB. The switch SW2 is arranged in series with a coinchute disposed above one end of the aforesaid convergent coin-receivingzone or with means for controlling the passage of coins from the chuteto the convolutions of the helix. For reasons which will hereinafterappear, the coin chute SSL is preferably pivotally mounted and theswitch SW2 is electrically connected with the pivot P of the chute.Also, the chute is preferably composed of electrically conductingmaterial and is provided at its lower end with a contact member SCextending between thel outer edges of two convolutions of the helicalmember.

Associated with the coin chute is a coin gate or platform adapted tocontrol the passage of the coins to the helical member and to open andclose the passage at the appropriate times. As illustrated, the coingate comprises an L-shaped member PL which is arranged for angulardisplacement about the pivot P' of the chute` but which is insulatedfrom the pivot and the chute, said gate being adapted tobe movedrelatively to the chute by an electro-magnetic device PM and beingarranged so that the lower end thereof opens or closes the passagethrough the chute and, when closed, forms a platform 'on which a coincan rest, and, while so resting, bridges or establishes electricalcontact between the chute SSL and the gate PL for the purpose of closinga part of the said auxiliary circuit. The windings of theelectro-magnetic device PM are included in said auxiliary circuit whichis indicated at AC and which also includes the windings of the quickmake-and-break electromagnetic device or motor shown at QM. The latterhas associated therewith a displaceable armature terminating in a pawldevice QL engaging with a pinion QG on the shaft of the helical member.Also, QM is electrically connected with the auxiliary battery AB tocomplete the said auxiliary circuit.

The arrangement illustrated also includes a main battery MB forsupplying current to a main circuit MC which includes the windings ofthe electro-magnetic device MM, a main switch MS, the windings of aslow-to-release electromagnetic device SRM, the contact members c', c2,c3, c4, c5, c6, c7 and C8 and the helical member when connected with acontact member by a coin. l 'I'he apparatus required to be controlled bythe coin-freed mechanism may, as mentioned above, be of any desired formand is indicated diagrammatically at A. In instances in which the latteris of an electrical character, e. g. a wireless set or other apparatusnecessitating an electrical supply circuit, the switch SWI therefor maybe controlled by the slow-to-release electromagnetic device SRM.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that when the chute SSL is initsnormal position, the contact SC is disposed between two convolutionsof the helical member without necessarily contacting therewith. When,however, a coin is inserted in the chute, it rests momentarily on thelower end of the chute gate or platform PL and closes the said auxiliarycircuit, i. e. current can flow from `one side of the battery AB,through the closed switch SW2, the chute SSL, the coin, the

chute gate PL, the coil of the electro-magnetic device PM, a part of thecircuit MC, the shaft of the helical member, conductor AC, coil ofelectromagnet QM, device QL and back to the battery AB. Theelectromagnetic device PM is quicker to operate than the electromagneticdevice QM with the result that the former is acactuated to swing thechute gate PL relatively to the chute SSL and to thereby allow the cointo drop down between the two convolutions of the helical member and intothe convergent coinreceiving zone until brought to rest with one part ofits edge bearing against the core of the helical member or the bottom orsides of its thread and another part bearing against the particularcontact member allocated to the denomination or dimensions of the coinused. Upon the actuation of the electromagnetic device PM, the circuitis interrupted and the chute gate PL is immediately returned to itsformer position. The

coin has now completed the main circuit which lll) may be traced fromone side of the battery MB, through conductor MC, the shaft of thehelical member, the coin, the contact with which the coin engages,conductor M, the coil of the slow-torelease electromagnetic device SRM,the closed main switch MS, the device PLI and the coil of theelectromagnetic device MM to the other side of the battery MB. Theelectromagnetic device MM is thereupon actuated with the result that theswitch SW2 is opened and the device PLI is operated intermittently sothat the heli- -cal member is rotated about its horizontal axis and thecoin is displaced laterally along the length of the contact member withwhich it is in engagement until it falls through a slot EX into asuitable receptacle or compartment.

In instances in which the coin-freed mechanism is required to control orlease for use an appliance, Vsuch as a wireless set, for variableperiods of time dependent in value upon the denomination of the coininserted, the aforesaid contact members and/or the speed of rotation ofthe helical member may be adjusted or predetermined according to thedurations of the periods of control or lease required. Thus, forexample, the contact members may each be of different lengths so that acoin of small value, for example, one-half penny, will be advanced alonga relatively short contact member whereas a coin of greater value, forexample, a sixpence, will be advanced along a relatively long contactmember and the periods of control, actuation or lease will be regulatedaccordingly.

It will be seen that, if the angular position 0f the helical member,after the coin has left its contact member, is such that the Contact SCat the lower end of the chute is still contacting with a part of theperipheral surface of the spiral or helical member, a circuit will beestablished from one side of the battery AB, through the switch SW2 (nowclosed), chute SSL, convolution Th, the bearing of the helical member,conductors AC, electromagnetic device QM and device QL to the other sideof the battery AB. The device QM is thereupon brought into operation sothat QG is actuated to rotate the helical member quickly to return thecontact SC to its original or normal position out of contact with thehelical member and ready for the reception of the next coin.

It will be appreciated that it is not essential that the means fordisplacing the coin or coins or for rotating the helical member shouldbe actuated automatically or by mechanical or electricalmeans broughtinto operation by the insertion of the coin. In some instances, the coindisplacing helical member may be adapted to be actuated by manuallyoperable means such as a push button or lever. Such an arrangement maybe employed, for instance, when applying the invention to a coin-freedteleprinting apparatus or to other coin-freed impulse actuatedappliances such as telegraphic equipment or apparatus for transmittingtelegraphic messages or codes.

In some instances, the circuits may be arranged for operation with onedenomination of coin only or with a plurality of coins of more than onedenomination. For example, as is shown in Fig. 3, the helical member Smay be connected to one terminal D and each of a plurality of contactmembers corresponding in number with the number of denominations ofcoins to be used may be connected with one of a set of terminals DI, D2,D3, D4, D5, D6, Dl and D8 each adapted to be connected by a movableswitch VPS! with one side of a source of current shown as a battery MB.Also, a second movable switch VPSZ may be provided and arranged so thatit is connected through the slow-to-release electromagnetic device SRMto the other side of the battery and is capable oi being moved intocontact with any of a second set of terminals El, E2, E3, Ed, E5, E6, Eland E8 each of which is also connected with one of the said Contactmembers. vIl" now, the switch VPS! is moved to contact with D and theswitch VPS is moved to contact with the terminal connected with thecontact allocated to a half-crown piece, then the mechanism will operatewith a half-crown coin but with no other. If, however, the switch VPS!is moved into contact with the terminal allocated to a sixpenny piece,e. g. the terminal D! the arrangement will require another coin, otherthan a sixpenny piece, to be inserted before the circuits will becompleted and the mechanism actuated. For instance, if the switch VPS?is moved to establish contact with the terminal allocated to one penny,then it is clear that to cause the mechanism to be actuated a penny coinin addition to a siXpence will be needed in order to complete thecircuitJ from switchVPSZ through the slowto-release magnet SRM, batteryMB, switch VPS, terminal allocated to siXpenny-piece, e. g. terminal DI,the sixpence, the helical member, the penny coin and the Contactallocated to the penny coin back to switch VPS2. Similarly, with otherpositions of the switches VPS! and VPS?, various combinations of pairsof coins of different denominations will be needed in order to com'plete the circuits and set the mechanism in operation. Thus, by theemployment of a set of eight contact members, there may be obtained amechanism capable of handling or releasing eight differently pricedarticles or services for each of which it is necessary to insert only asingle coin, and, by associating with the contact members, terminals andswitches of the nature above referred to, each terminal in the D seriesmay be connected through two coins and the helical member with eachterminal in the E series, whereby a total of 28 additional circuits maybe established. In the Fig. 3 illustration, the terminal D! isconnected, through the two coins indicated and the helical member, withthe terminal E8.

Having thus described this invention what I claim as new therein anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A coin-freed mechanism provided with a chute for the reception ofcoins of Various denominations, a plurality of selectively engageableelectric contact members disposed beneath said chute so that they formone boundary of a tapering or convergent coin-receiving zone, and ahelical member adapted to receive the coins between the convolutionsthereof and forming the opposite boundary of said Zone.

2. A coin-freed mechanism as claimed in claim 1 provided with means forcontrolling the passage of a coin through the chute.

3. A coin-freed mechanism as claimed in claim l in which the selectivelyengageable electric contact members are disposed at progressivelyincreasing distances from the axis Yand surface of the helical member.

4. A coin-freed mechanism as claimed in claim l in which the selectivelyengageable electric contact members are disposed at progressivelyincreasing distances from the axis and surface of the helical member andin which the helical member is disposed beneath the chute so that a fcoin can be received edgewise in position between two convolutions ofthe helical member with one part of its edge bearing against the bottomof the thread and another part of its edge engaging a contact member.

5. A coin-freed mechanism as claimed in claim 1 in which the coins areadapted to be propelled or displaced along the contact member by meansbrought into operation by the insertion of a coin.

6. A Coindreed mechanism as claimed in claim l in which the selectivelyengageable contact members are arranged and connected in circuit so thata plurality of coins of diferentdenominations must be inserted tocomplete the circuits required to actuate the releasing mechanism.

7. A coin-freed mechanism as claimed in claim 1 in which the selectivelyengageably contact members are connected in circuit so that a pluralityof coins of different denominations must be inserted to complete thecircuits required to actuate the releasing mechanism and provided withswitching means for predetermining the coins and selecting the circuitsrequired to initiate the actuation of the releasing mechanism.

8. A coin freed mechanism comprising a coin chute, a coin receivingdevice disposed beneath said chute, said device being provided with aplurality of selectively engageable electric contact members spacedalong a coin receiving zone 'of tapering form so that the contactengaged by any inserted coin is dependent upon the dimensions of thecoin, and means for displacing a coin laterally with respect to saidzene so that the displacement effected is dependent upon the contactengaged.

9. A coin freed mechanism comprising a coin chute, a coin receivingdevice disposed beneath said chute, said device being provided with aplurality of selectively engageable contact members with one of which aninsertedy coin engages, the contact engaged being dependent upon thevalue of the inserted coin, means for displacing a coin laterally withrespect to the coin receiving device while engaging the Contact member,and means brought into operation by the insertion of a coin foractuating the displacing means.

10. A coin freed mechanism comprising a coin chute capable of receivingcoins of'various denominations, a coin receiving device disposed beneathsaid chute, said device comprising a helical member arranged forrotation about a horizontal axis and for the reception of a coinedgewisebetween two convolutions of the helix and further comprising aplurality of selectively engageable contact members disposed adjacentthe helical member so that the position of a coin in the helix and thecontact engaged is dependent upcn the value of the coin inserted7 andmeans for rotating the helical member to effect lateral displacement ofthe coin along the engaged contact member.

GEORGE MICHAELSON.

